D-Link's DIR-635 router sports good performance and features at a reasonable price.
Design and features
D-Link's DIR-635 is a compact wireless router packed in a silver-trimmed black case of a very modest design. Three aerials are used for improved transmission speed and accuracy, however, the model does not include an internal modem, so it's probably best suited to add a wireless capability to your existing system rather than replacing it. Setting up the device was easy enough and D-Link provides plenty of advice on the browser-based configuration pages, but the menus are quite busy and the help may prove distracting.
The router features port and IP forwarding, scheduled firewall settings and Web content filtering. Web filtering is enabled as a simple black/white-listing customised by the user. QoS control and WEP/WPA security are naturally present also.
It's great to see D-Link have the common sense to print default IP and log-in details on the bottom of the device to make setting up a little easier — although for security purposes you may want to change these during initial set-up.
Performance
Our performance testing on wireless routers consists of checking wireless throughput speeds over a variety of distances between a notebook and the router. To test the router it is located at one end of a 55-metre long hallway, while the connection to the notebook is tested at five-metre increments by transferring a 1MB file between it and a wired PC, using the application Qcheck.
This is done until either the 55-metre point is hit, or the notebook is unable to reliably connect. At the 25-metre point there is a "dog-leg" in the hallway, and two results are recorded here — the first one is in line-of-sight, the second and all subsequent points after are obstructed.
Each test is performed at least five times, and the result averaged.
The DIR-635 router gave reliable performance — throughput was around 22Mbps up to 25m falling to 5Mbps at 55m.
Verdict
If you intend to connect to ADSL2+ over a wireless router and are one of the lucky ones that can achieve a speed between 21Mbps and 24Mbps, the D-Link DIR-635 won't be able to deliver the full speed to wireless clients. This isn't a show stopper as a large majority of homes are unlikely to hit this speed or even have the option available, but it's something to keep in mind.
This is a compact device which, nevertheless, includes a USB port for printer sharing. Good features mean the asking price of AU$199.95 is fine, but remember the device does not include a modem. D-Link provides a generous three-year warranty with the product.
